Despite all the newer kinds of flowers roses remain one of the favorite cut flowers. Books on rose are always greeted with enthusiasm. Here is a review of a title that has been well received.

“A Rose By Any Name-The Little-Known Lore and Deep-Rooted History of Rose Names” is by Douglas Brenner and Stephen Scanniello. This was published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman.

It features everything you could possibly want to know about rose history and rose names. This compendium covers everything from rose lore and rose origins to the names of individual roses. All in all, the authors provide details for over 1200 rose varieties.

In addition, this title has full length profiles for about 50 of the best loved varieties and species. These include beloved heirloom varieties, such as the Peace, and recent introductions, such as the Barbra Streisand released in the late 1990’s.

This book is illustrated with lush color photos as well as color art and historic illustrations.

From this informative delightful volume readers can learn all about the origins of roses and their cultivation over the years. It’s time to learn the truth about roses and face the facts. This book offers a way to do that. One of the factors to consider is the deceptive nature of rose names. Despite its name, the yellow rose of Texas didn’t originate in the state of Texas. In fact, the authors report it was bred in New York City.

In the introduction, the authors provide a general background into rose history. They reveal that for much of human history roses were grown and used for food and medicine and not for their exquisite beauty. This book also explains how rose breeders can apply for plant patents.

Reading this book is like going on a journey. Along the way, the authors debunk some common myths about roses, such as the fact that the rose mentioned in the English translations of the Bible was in fact not a rose at all. Readers can also learn about rose breeding and how roses receive their names.

In addition to a wide number of varieties, this book also profiles some individual rose species, such as the rugosa rose. The much maligned multiflora rose also appears here as well. Sadly, it is an invasive species here in western North Carolina as is the case in various other states as well.

The appendix has a glossary with easy to follow definitions of terms that are used in describing and classifying roses.

Scanniello is a celebrated rose expert known worldwide for his expertise. He has written several other books on roses. Brenner is former editor of Martha Stewart Living and Garden Design. He writes about gardens and design.